AN inaugural one million (N1m) worth of Poetry Slam competition prize is the highlight of this year’s Lagos International Poetry Festival that kicks off on October 21 – 24, 2021. Its lineup of activities includes two workshops, a major performance evening, film screening, and panel discussions.
LIPFest 2021’s inaugural slam competition emphasizes the role of young people in dreaming and building a future that answers the anxieties of today. Entries for the slam are currently open at www.lagospoetryfestival.com/slam and close on October 10, 2021. Shortlisted poets and spoken word artists will be announced on October 19 and will participate at the finale on October 22. The winning poet walks away with One million naira (N1m) and gets a performance slot at the festival’s concert evening on October 23 at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Guests for this year’s festival include Saul Williams, Yusef Komunyakaa, poetry slam by Aja Monet, Femi Osofisan, and many more. The festival draws a trans-generational selection of guests, pressing into and benefits from the wisdom of the old and vision of the young in a period of heaviness a season ravaged by a global pandemic.